In the April issue of The O&P EDGE, an article considered how memory and lying can affect patient reports. According to the article, in surveys of 4,510 Americans, 60-80 percent admitted they were not truthful with doctors about information relating to their health. We asked our followers: How common is lying among patients in your O&P practice? Of those who responded, 44 percent said it depends on the reason for the fib, 31 percent said it is common for their patients not to be completely forthcoming with them when it comes to their care, and 25 percent said it was uncommon for their patients to lie about their health.
A poll earlier this month focused on a handful of articles in the June issue on holistic care for patients. While the four pillars of holistic health include physical, emotional, social, and spiritual, holistic therapy can also include other healing practices. Our question: What are some other holistic-related practices that can help improve your patients’ care? Of those who answered, 57 percent said movement therapy is a good form of holistic care, 36 percent said mindfulness, and 7 percent said creative therapy works well when it comes to holistic care.
Last week’s poll focused on a writer’s experience with the cultural tax, which she says, “is the toll you pay in energy, patience, and a piece of your own story every time somebody decides your disability is available for public consumption.” The first work-related question we asked was, How can this concept hurt employees? Of those who responded, 57 percent said burnout can be one of the main causes, 14 percent said tokenism and 29 percent said something else, including one follower who said, “Digital distraction.”
The second question focused on employers: What measures can employers take to build a better workplace? Of those who responded, 65 percent said employers can support work/life balance, 20 percent said elevate, don’t exploit, and 15 percent said it’s important to acknowledge the labor.
One follower commented, “If I see all patients and have to do notes, let me do them at home so I can beat traffic and do them when I want in the evening. That simple concept is anathema to most clinics. Or the idea of having an alternating Friday off and working nine hours. But it’s ‘too logistically complicated’ or ‘what about the hospital call?’”
For this week’s poll we decided to shy away from an O&P-related question to focus on something that’s becoming increasingly more popular—driverless cars! Our question: Would you ride in such a vehicle? So far, our followers seem a little apprehensive, saying, “Not on your life!” Tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
